NASSP President Gregg Wieczorek’s latest school visits on Leading Forward: The Listening and Learning Tour brought him to these four East Coast states in March: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. Below are brief highlights from the latest stops.
Early College High School at Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Dr. Evelyn Edney, Principal
Ultimate Dual Credit
Early College High School (ECHS), a public charter school that partners with Delaware State University, enables students to take first-year college classes. To determine which college content areas students are prepared to take, readiness is assessed using a rubric that measures factors such as cognitive abilities, attendance, disciplinary record, and attentiveness to schoolwork. Students are then placed in Delaware State classes taught by professors, with college students as classmates. Student learning is assessed regularly throughout the year to ensure students are being challenged at the appropriate level. Generally, students receive between 30–60 college credits tuition-free, which can be used at Delaware State or transferred to another university. Some students can earn more than 60 credits, and one student earned 85 credits during her tenure at ECHS.
Atholton High School, Columbia, MD
Robert Motley, Principal and Immediate Past President of NASSP
Teacher Academy
Atholton High School offers an academy for students interested in becoming teachers. Students take an introductory course called “Human Growth and Development,” after which they can take “Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction.” That course is followed by “Teaching as a Profession,” and then students engage in an opportunity to gain field experience. The school also has a daycare facility on site, which gives students a chance to explore their interest in working with children.
Cumberland Regional High School, Bridgeton, NJ
Ralph Aiello, Principal and a member of NASSP’s Board of Directors
Freshmen Seminar/Senior Mentoring
This program is for the roughly 25 percent of ninth graders at the school who need a little help to enhance their chances of academic and social success. These students are paired with seniors who apply to the program and serve as mentors. Ninth graders in the program are also assigned to a specific freshmen seminar class along with a few senior mentors. After a few weeks, each mentor is assigned two or three freshmen to work with throughout the year. Mentors assist with academic needs as well as helping the ninth graders understand the school climate and what it means to be a Cumberland Colt.
Clarkstown High School North, Clarkstown, NY
Dr. Harry Leonardatos, Principal
Ram’s Cave
The Ram’s Cave is a store in the school where students can buy snacks, drinks, and spirit wear. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each school day, the store is staffed by parent volunteers, who order items to sell, manage store finances, and determine how to spend the profits. The store averages $1,200 in daily sales, with all profits going to the school. Items that the store has helped fund include picnic lunch tables and a digital projector and projection screen for the school’s theater, as well as soundboards. Profits have also helped fund 12 student scholarships of $750 each year, an annual luncheon for staff, teacher impact grants, equipment for the senior lounge, and money for families in need.
